Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

Alfredo was born in Cuba. When he was eleven years old, he immigrated with his family to Venezuela where he began studying the Venezuelan folk harp with a friend from school. A year later he became a pupil of Alberto Romero on the Paraguayan harp. Just two years after his first harp lesson he began medical studies in Medellín, Colombia, began performing professionally and recorded his first album. Music supported his medical studies until graduation. For eight years he worked as a medical doctor as well as a harpist and recording artist until his wife, Luz Marina, became pregnant. In order to have time for his growing family, he then decided to dedicate his life only to them and to his first love: the harp. With a multicultural repertoire which covers folk, classical and popular music of many countries, Dr. Ortiz has performed for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. He has recorded over forty albums and is the winner of a Gold Record in South America. He has lectured on a variety of subjects at universities, colleges and schools, is the author of several books and articles and his compositions have been performed and recorded by classical and folk harpists in many countries. His acclaimed "South American Suite for Harp and Orchestra" premiered March 3, 1996. Dr Ortiz was invited to perform his Suite at the World Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, in 1999, having as audience over one thousand classical harpists from around the world. Among his concerts and recitals are: Opening Concert of the First World Harp Congress, Holland, 1983 Third World Harp Congress, Vienna, Austria, 1987 Rochas Festival of the Harp, Paraguay, 1988 Edinburgh Harp Festival, Scotland, 1987, 1991 & 2005 World Harp Festival, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1992 Soka International Harp Festival, Japan, 1990, 1994 and 1998 International Folk Harp Conference, 1984, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 2000, 2003 & 2005 World Harp Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 2005 Latin American Harps Encounter, Venezuela - 1998, Mexico - 2000 & 2004, Brazil - 2006EDUCATION: OVER TEN YEARS in the Music Center on Tour Program of the Los Angeles Music Center, Education Division, Los Angeles, CaliforniaTouring Roster of the California Arts CouncilFrom the Center Program of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, California ABOUT ALFREDO'S PRIVATE LESSONSAlfredo Rolando Ortiz offers PRIVATE LESSONS for beginners to advanced students, professionals and teachers of all folk harps as well as special lessons for teachers, professionals or students of pedal harp (All levels). Lessons take place at his studio in the city of Corona, California, or during harp conferences, festivals or workshops around the world. Note: There is a pedal harp at his studio in Corona.Professionals, teachers and students of pedal harp and folk harp from Canada, Japan, Scotland, Italy, Australia and the USA have come to Corona to study with Alfredo and add a new dimension to their teaching, technique and/or repertoire. Among them are Hirohiko Honda and Izumi Ando (Japan), Sharlene Wallace (Canada, Winner of the First Prize at the HarpFest, 1996), and Giuliana De Donno, professor of pedal and Celtic harp in Rome.Located in Riverside County, California, Corona is one hour driving distance from the Los Angeles airport and only 20 minutes driving from the Ontario airport (California). There is a wide choice of hotels and motels. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND MORE AUDIO SAMPLES, PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE.